The rumble of the carriage wheels stopped. Luo Ningcha carefully climbed down and saw that the small squad of guards had disappeared without a trace. She was standing in front of a humble little courtyard.
"Where are we?" Luo Ningcha asked in surprise.
"North City." Han Wuxian's tone was still gentle, but her answer was so brief it sounded almost cold.
Luo Ningcha knew this was North City; the bluestone road beneath her feet was proof enough. "Why not go to Stone Fortress? Or the Meng Family? What are we doing here?"
"To catch the Dragon King off guard." Han Wuxian led the way inside, pushing open the door.
Luo Ningcha had no way back. She carried Shangguan Cheng, still fast asleep, out of the carriage and followed, envying the child's blissful ignorance.
The courtyard was pitifully small; a few steps were enough to cross it. The interior was even more shabby, enough to make Luo Ningcha's heart ache. A low kang took up most of the room, leaving barely enough space to turn around. A small lamp burned at the edge of the kang, casting a greasy sheen over the bedding.
Luo Ningcha felt sick. "Don't think I'll live here!" she snapped, laying all the blame on Han Wuxian. "Where's the Unrivaled King? Where are the Central Plains people? If they don't come out right now, I'm leaving."
"Little beauty, why the hurry?" Han Wuxian walked up to Luo Ningcha. From her hairline to her neck, every inch of her skin seemed to brim with smiles. "This is only a temporary place to stay. Soon enough, you'll be living in a grand mansion again."
Luo Ningcha's heart gave a sudden lurch. This was her first time seeing the Moonlight Hall Leader's true face in lamplight. The woman was so